Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Thoughts on the booking of B.J. Penn vs. Jon Fitch following Penn's UFC 123 KO of Matt Hughes - Hansen, Lee, Hyden, Hobaugh and Amadi
Nov 24, 2010 - 9:51:45 PM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Thoughts on the booking of B.J. Penn vs. Jon Fitch following Penn's UFC 123 KO of Matt Hughes - Hansen, Lee, Hyden, Hobaugh and Amadi

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What is your reaction to the B.J. Penn vs. Jon Fitch booking after Penn's UFC 123 knockout of Matt Hughes?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

Well, I was surprised by the speed of the announcement, that's for sure.  Clearly this fight was in the works, pending a B.J. win, for quite a while.  I don't really have a reaction to the booking itself, since I never had enough time to contemplate a logical next step for B.J.  It absolutely shows that Penn, say what you want about the guy, has no desire to take the path of least resistance in his career.  This is the most talented guy that he could have been set up with, since there was zero chance of an Edgar or GSP fight being booked next for him.  If B.J. can avoid the clinch, he'll win this fight.

ERIC LEE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

This match up doesn't make much sense to me. B.J. Penn has already expressed that he thinks he can be Lightweight Champ again. And Jon Fitch has been upset that he hasn't received a title shot yet in the welterweight division. It's a great match up that will probably sell a lot of pay-per-views. But whoever wins the fight doesn't really move up much in their division.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think it's a good match-up. Both guys are just outside of the title picture, and this fight will go a long way towards deciding who's the next in line to battle for the #1 contenders slot in the welterweight division. I like the fight, I just hope B.J. is as motivated as he was for the fight with Hughes. 

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

B.J. Penn did a nice job in his fight against Matt Hughes.  He looked in shape and  determined. Hughes looked slow and old. The fight with Jon Fitch is an intriguing one, but one that I feel B.J. loses.  Frankie Edgar did a great job in both of his fights with Penn and used his wrestling strength to win and keep the Lightweight Title.  Very few wrestlers in the UFC can say they are better wrestlers than Edgar.  Jon Fitch is one of the few that can.  Fitch grinds this win out with a three round decision.  

JASON AMADI, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

This is the type of matchmaking that sets the UFC apart from other organizations. B.J. Penn fighting Jon Fitch solves problems for the UFC that no one really saw a way around until the matchup was announced.
 
B.J. Penn has two losses to both the UFC Welterweight and Lightweight Champions. His rematches with Georges St. Pierre and Frank Edgar were so one-sided that it would be impossible for the UFC to drum up interest in a third fight with either champion. Penn is still deserving of top level competition, so Jon Fitch is the perfect opponent. While there is no title fight incentive for Penn, as even a win over Jon Fitch might not put him near a title shot at 170 lbs. or 155 lbs. anytime soon, there is a degree of prestige that comes with handing a fighter like Jon Fitch a loss.
 
For Fitch, there are absolutely title implications in this fight. Jon Fitch may not be public enemy number one for the UFC, but they certainly are in no rush to give him another title shot. A win over a big name like B.J. Penn would be enough for the UFC to be able to market him in a title fight, despite him not exactly having an exciting highlight reel.
 
For the UFC, this is a win-win scenario. If Fitch wins, they can finally market him to a casual audience, and if B.J. Penn wins, they can finally stop looking for reasons not to give Jon Fitch a title shot.